Andrei Melnichenko, one of Russia’s wealthiest oligarchs with a fortune estimated at over $17 billion, has called for a fresh start between Russia and the West. In an interview with The Economist, he argued that the most urgent task is to step back from the brink of disaster and leave the reckoning for the next generation.
Melnichenko, whose business empire spans mining, fertilisers, energy and logistics, outlined four possible scenarios for post-war Russia. His message, as interpreted by commentators, is clear: forget the past and begin anew. He stated that the priority is to ensure that future generations have a world to rebuild, rather than dwelling on how the current crisis came about.
A proposal from the top of the Russian elite
Prof. Vladimir Ponomariov, a Russian opposition figure, noted that the timing of Melnichenko’s article is not accidental. He pointed to the deepening fuel crisis in Russia and argued that the oligarchs are acting on their own initiative, not at the behest of Vladimir Putin. – Their suggestion is clear – leave Russia alone, forget everything and start over – said Ponomariov. He added that other oligarchs share this view, and that they are tired of the war and its consequences.
Ponomariov drew a parallel with post-war Germany, which was readmitted to the European community only after denazification, the Nuremberg trials and punishment of war criminals. Many commentators believe a similar process must apply to Russia before any normalisation of relations.
The missing reckoning
The oligarch’s offer raises a fundamental question: can Russia return to the international fold without first accounting for its actions? Melnichenko’s call for a fresh start is seen by critics as an attempt to whitewash the past and avoid accountability. Ponomariov stressed that without a thorough reckoning – including trials and sanctions – any reset would be a reward for aggression.
The article, published on 23 July 2026, reflects growing anxiety inside the Kremlin as the war drags on and economic pressures mount. Whether Melnichenko’s proposal gains traction in Western capitals remains uncertain, but it signals that even the Russian elite are looking for a way out of the crisis they helped create.
Źródło: wnp.pl, Fot. PAP/EPA/ALEXANDER KAZAKOV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL
